Melissa Reddy breaks silence after Sky Sports exit - as she hits out at 'abuse' and reveals her next career move

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Melissa Reddy has spoken for the first time since leaving Sky Sports after three years with the broadcaster.
Mail Sport first broke the news of Sky's intended redundancy programme earlier this month.
It was then revealed on Wednesday morning that Reddy was one of seven high-profile Sky Sports employees to be moved on as the company looks to modernise its coverage.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday evening, Reddy released a lengthy statement to confirm her departure, while also revealing what she plans to do next.
'ELEVENTH!!! season of Premier League coverage done and I've called time on three years at Sky,' Reddy began.
'I'll still be doing bits and bobs for them but I'm genuinely soooo excited to share all the things I'll be working on soon, which will allow me to focus on my strengths and passions.
In a lengthy statement, Reddy hit out at the misogynistic and racist abuse she has received
'For those that have BEEN asking for the past five years YES - that will include new books.'
Reddy was born and raised in South Africa before moving over to the UK to cover the Premier League.
She has almost two decades of experience behind her in the industry, but has now opened up on the misogynistic and racist 'abuse' she has received over the years, while vowing to never let it bring her down.
Reddy's statement continued: 'After the first press conference I covered in England all those years back, a journalist turned to the press officer and said 'why are you letting them come over here and take our jobs. You just want a little lick don't you?!'
'I would love to be able to say that things have changed in that regard, but alas… the abuse as a foreign woman of colour in this sphere never ceases.
'I will always be stronger than the hate; I know who I am, I know the substance of my work.
'You can't dim the light of someone who learned how to shine in the dark.
'The messages I've received from managers, players, club staff, my Sky and wider industry colleagues - people who know me, my journey and sacrifices over the past decade - carry more weight than any of the nasty noise. Let's cook.'
Reddy accompanied her post with photos and videos of her Sky highlights, which included interviewing Ruben Amorim, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arne Slot.
Her exit comes just two days after presenter Rob Wotton choked up during his final appearance after 27 years working for Sky Sports News.
Presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor; reporters Jeremy Langdon and Fadumo Olow; and a news editor have also reportedly been cut, according to The Sun.